I got up a bit ago and have been quickly scrolling through this thread.
FOX doesn’t have Whorealdo on or any correspondent from Galveston yet.
Anyone have an update on the situation at the hotel they were taking shelter in?
The guy at the grocery store (or some kind of store) who was on FOX last night? The lady who was staying in the Victorian house? The dummy Mom with 2 kids interviewed on the beach? Thx for the updates.
from the Houston Chronicle’s storm blog: The Texas Emergency Operations Center says Galveston County has experienced widespread damage. More from the Chronicle:
The east and west ends of Galveston Island are under water, and water is pouring over the seawall. Power and utilities are out. There are multiple fires; rain is helping extinguishing some.
Infrastructure has also been heavily damaged, according to the Chronicle. No word yet on the status of nearby refineries.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/content/article/2008/09/13/pm-galveston13.html?hpid=topnews
“I Am Afraid For Everyone Here”
Steve Harrigan has been on.
I would speculate that any equipment vans they have with the reporters are under water or have water soaked equipment.
They may have trouble getting INFO out -- as cameras and satellite links require some power (Where is that Energizer Bunny when you need it).
For example, even cell phone sites (that receive cell phone calls) will go out in hours without power. They have limited battery backup.
Atlanta, in January 2000, found that out the hard way after an ice storm. No phones and no cell phones...
FEMA and other public officials that might be on the Island probably have back up power or are just roughing it out.
But there are reports of over 2 million without power, and the storm has not yet reached the area of Houston Intercontinental Airport (further North than the current position of the eye).